Spring weather is upon us and along with that come many days enjoying the water, beaches and everything outdoors. Although the sun can give your days a happy boost, make sure to protect your skin before going out to soak up some vitamin D. Prolonged sun damage will cause premature wrinkles and can cause skin cancer over time. Protecting your skin should be a priority every day of the year but especially during this season.
Do
• Use a mineral sunscreen of SPF 30 to 50 that blocks UVA and UVB rays every single day, year-round.
• Apply sunscreen on cloudy days. Overcast skies can sometimes give us a false sense of security against harmful rays, but all skin tones can still burn on any day including gloomy days.
• Make sure to put on sunscreen before you leave the house, not after you are already in the sun. Sunscreen works best after it sets into the skin.
• Always reapply sunscreen after two hours of sun exposure, sweating or being in the water.
• Use hats and UV-protective clothing to cover your skin.
• Stay out of the sun and be very cautious of any sun exposure for at least two weeks following any cosmetic laser, peel or microneedling.
DON’T
• Don’t forget to use sunscreen on your lips, ears, neck,
feet, head (especially if your hair is thin) and hands. We
wash our hands often so always remember to add sunscreen to your hands when going outside.
• Don’t spend long periods of time in the sun when taking new medications. The sun can create photosensitivity in any skin type, but mostly fair skin, with certain meds. Always ask your doctor about possible sensitivities when any medications change.
• Don’t rely on spray sunscreens. Lotion sunscreens are best to give full coverage protection.
• Don’t think all sunscreens are the same. Do your research and read labels. Look for broad spectrum SPF 30+ and key ingredients titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
• Don’t skip getting your skin checked yearly with your primary care doctor or dermatologist. If you have moles, always keep an eye on any changes in size and color and have them checked regularly.
• Don’t think that if a sunscreen is waterproof, you don’t need to reapply. Always reapply after getting in the water.
Leslie Peck is a local makeup artist, aesthetician and lash artist with almost two decades of experience. She has worked 11 seasons of NYC Fashion Week as well as several beauty shoots while living in New York City. Leslie also has experience in TV, film, print and celebrity makeup in Los Angeles. She specializes in bridal makeup, skincare education and was featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal in 2007.
